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Champion Trophy: Overton replaces Carse as Afghanistan opt to bat vs England

IANS February 26, 2025 154 views

The ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Afghanistan is a do-or-die encounter with both teams desperate for their first tournament victory. Jamie Overton has been brought into the England lineup as a replacement for the injured Brydon Carse. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping for spin-friendly conditions. The losing team will be mathematically eliminated from semifinal contention, adding intense pressure to this crucial Group B clash.

"The wicket looks good. Hopefully, it will spin in the second innings." - Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan Captain
Lahore, Feb 26: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the Group B match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 here at Gaddafi Stadium.

Key Points

1

Afghanistan choose to bat first in high-stakes Champions Trophy encounter

2

England make one forced change with Overton replacing Carse

3

Match is virtual knockout with semifinal hopes on the line

4

Both teams yet to secure a win in tournament

For England, all-rounder Jamie Overton comes in, replacing fast bowler Brydon Carse, who has been ruled out due to an injury. Meanwhile, Afghanistan are playing with the same team from the last match.

After Australia-South Africa Tuesday's match was abandoned due to rain, the clash between England and Afghanistan is a virtual knockout game with the loser becoming the third team to be eliminated. Both teams are yet to secure a win in the tournament, and a loss for either side would effectively end their semifinal hopes.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said, "We will bat first. The wicket looks good. Hopefully, it will spin in the second innings. And it might be slower as well. Sometimes the dew is coming and sometimes it is not. Hopefully, there won't be any dew and help our spinners. It might get slower for sure. We were not bowling in the good areas in the last game. We are going with the same team."

England captain Jos Buttler said, "The dew came in last game and skidded on a bit under lights. Ww would have batted first as well. Looks a good wicket. It came on to the bat nicely. We just got one change. Carse is out. Overton is in. Individual skills are very high."

Playing XIs:

England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooq

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